Last summer, while Knowles performed four nights of sold-out shows at New York City's Roseland Ballroom, a sequinned mini-dress was strategically draped over her growing belly. The concerts have been captured on a DVD, "Live at Roseland: Elements of 4," which was released this week.

Knowles, 30, already has the resume of a legend: singer, songwriter, actor, fashion designer and model. So it's no surprise that for the concert film she was performer, director, choreographer and producer -- all in one.

Beyonce's co-parent and husband is, of course, hip-hop star/mogul Jay-Z. In August, Jay was among the thrilled onlookers when Knowles "announced" her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards. Knowles sang her hit "Love On Top" -- while hiding her secret under her top. After the song, she opened her jacket and rubbed her belly, smiling.

The audience roared, and the instant buzz made Twitter history: By 10:35 p.m. people were posting a record 8,868 tweets per second, the company said.

When Couric asked how she decided on the gesture, Knowles said:
"Physically I was starting to show, so it was only a matter of days before someone zoomed in. So I just wanted it to be from me, and I wanted it to be something that was a celebration of something so beautiful. And I didn't want to release a picture or a statement. I figured the biggest statement was to -- just be."

Was she surprised by the reaction?

"Honestly, I just felt free. I really did, because I'd been holding the most exciting thing in for so long, and I just felt like, Wow, now I can enjoy and now I can just experience this the way that every woman should. So I felt so liberated, and I felt like, Oh, I can breathe and be happy. And, you know, it was a beautiful feeling. ... I went straight off the stage and just cried. I hugged my mom, I hugged Jay and just cried. It was a beautiful day."

While the Internet buzzes over her actual due date, Beyonce remains silent.

"The truth is, it's safety," she explained. "I just want to make sure I can have a peaceful day. And I want to make sure my child is protected."

Knowles told Couric she'd take some time off after the baby is born to get back into shape.

"I'm not looking forward to that, because I've been having a good time!" she said, laughing.

Asked if she'd had any particular cravings, Knowles said: "Not really anything crazy." She laughed off rumors that she put ketchup on everything and liked ice cream with hot chili sauce.

"I was on a plane and the flight attendant came and was like, 'I have your hot sauce and pickles and bananas.' And I'm like, That is absolutely disgusting, what are you doing? He's like, 'I read it on the internet," Knowles said.

Equally wrong was speculation, spawned by images of her on Australian TV in October, that Knowles' baby bump might be fake and that she might be using a surrogate.

"There are certain things that are so far [out] ... it doesn't even upset you," Knowles said. Other rumors do take a toll, Knowles said, but on her protective family more than on her.

When asked how excited about the baby Jay-Z was, Knowles said, "You can only imagine, and multiply that. It's very exciting for both of us and our families. ... Everyone is so anxious. It's like the time just can't come fast enough."